Bristle roller for automatic motor vehicle washing systems

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bristole roller for automatic motor cehicle washing systems comprising a cylindric body on the surface of which there are distributed a plurality of bristles. The main feature of the invention is that the bristles are made from strips of a thin layer of polypropilene, polythene, plastic materials and copolymers thereof.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The presente invention relates to a bristle roller for automatic motor vehicle washing systems. As is known, in automatic systems for washing motor vehicles and the like there are at present used rollers which have, on their outer cylindric surface, a plurality of bristles made of yarns of polythene, which are caused to slidably contact the surface of the motor vehicle to be washed, so as to remove dirt therefrom. From experimental tests it has been found that in these rollers there occurs a micronized wear of the bristles; because of the sliding contact of the bristles with the motor vehicle body, and this generates a very fine powder which is deposited on the motor vehicle body so as to form a powder film the removal of which is very difficult. This fact is particularly deleterious since, in addition to quickly wearing the bristles, is susceptible to damage the motor vehicle painted surface. In this connection it should be moreover pointed out that conventional bristles applied to conventional bristle rollers have a low strength. The mentioned prior bristle rollers, moreover, are susceptible to be easily broken by the wedge-like profiles of sport motor vehicles or other motor vehicles having particular aerodynamic profiles. Under these conditions, prior bristle rollers frequently damages the motor vehciles or are damaged thereby. In fact, the prior filaments or bristles, because of their fine construction, penetrate frequently between parts of the motor vehicle body or plastic spoiles, or between the windshield wipers so as to remove and eject into the encompassing space all of the things entrapped by the bristles. Under these conditions, frequently there are also broken the rear windows and mainly those which have not been mounted as series fittings, and which are usually provided with a steel stem, unless they are suitably bent so as to abut against the motor vehicle body. On the contrary, the washing rollers made with the subject bristles, because of the greater consistency thereof, allow to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks. The documents DE-U-9 115 049 and DE-U-9 214 265 disclose a bristle roller for motor vehicle automatic washing systems having substantially the feauteres of the preamble of the main Claim. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The aim of the present invention is that of solving the above mentioned problems, by providing a washing roller including a new type of bristles which, in addition to preventing a micronization of the particles forming the bristles, also offsets the possibility of cleaning very efficiently the motor vehicles. Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a washing roller the bristles of which have a great surface so as to provide a broader and more delicate contact with the motor vehicle surface, thereby increasing the washing efficiency without damaging the body painted surface. Another object of the present invention is to provide such a washing roller which is very reliable and safe in operation and which can be easily made starting from easily available elements and materials and which, moreover, is very advantageous from a mere economic standpoint. According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a bristle roller for automatic motor vehicle washing systems, according to the main Claim. Thus, the bristle strips, because of their configuration, will provide a more delicate washing action, preventing the bristles from being micronized and preventing particles thereof from being deposited on the painted surface. Moreover, there are eliminated possible cratches to the painted surface as those which are caused by dirt accumulated on the motor vehicle body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of the bristle rollers, for motor vehicle automatic washing systems, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative example, in the accompanying drawings, where: Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating a bristle roller applied to a washing system; Figure 2 illustrates the supporting element for supporting the bristles, as applied to the roller or cylinder; Figure 3 illustrates a bristle assembly; Figure 4 illustrates, on an enlarged scale, the cross-section of a bristle made of a strip of plastic material, and in a bent and flattened condition; Figure 5 illustrates, on an enlarges scale, the cross-section of the bristle, made of a tubular strip of a plastic material, also in a flattened condition; Figure 6 illustrates, by way of an example, a further variation of the flattened and bent bristles according to the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the number references of the figures of the accompanying drawings, the bristle rollers, for automatic motor vehicle washing systems, according to the invention, which has been generally indicated at the reference number 1, comprises a cylindric body thereon there are applied the elements 2 which support a plurality of strip-like bristles, indicated with the reference number 3. Advantageously, the bristles 3 are collected in assemblies, which extend from holding seats 4, provided on the element 2. The main feature of the invention is that the bristles are made of strips 3, obtained from a thin layer of polypropylene, polythene or plastic materials or polymers thereof, which preferably comprise burrs having a longitudinal configuration, arranged according to the longitudinal extension of the bristles. In order to increase the force exerted during the washing operation, the polypropylene, polythene or other plastic materials or polymers strips are bent as is shown in Figure 4, so that each bristle 3 includes an outer body 3a having a flat condiguration, which is connected to longitudinal portions, also of flat configuration 3b, which are inwardly bent. As shown in Figure 5, the bristles, indicated at the reference number 3', also have a flat configuration, with the difference that they are obtained from a polypropylene, polythene or other plastic material and copolymer flattened tubular element which is bent so as to have an outer configuration, indicated at 3'a, of flattened shape, which connects with longitudinal portions, indicateed at 3'b, which are inwardly and/or outwardly bent for one or more times, according to angles of approximatively 180°. With the disclosed arrangement, accordingly, there are obtained bristles adapted to provide a very efficient washing operation, without any loss of the bristle material susceptibile to be deposited on the surface being washed. From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended objects. In particular, the fact is to be pointed out that the new bristle type according to the invention allows to provide a very good cleaning or washing of the motor vehicle body, both because of the greater washing surface of the bristles and because of the greater facility with which the dirt is discharged through the bristles. The invention as discslosed is susceptible to several modifications and variations all of which will come within the scope of the inventive idea. Moreover, all of the deatils can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements. In practicing the invention, the used materials, provided that they are conceptually analogous to the above indicated materials, can be any, according to requirements.

Claims: A bristle roller for motor vehicle automatic washing systems, comprising a cylindric body (1) on the surface of which there are distributed a plurality of bristles, constituted by strips (3, 3') made of a thin layer of polypropylene, polythene, plastic materials or copolymers thereof, characterized in that each bristle is constituted by an elongated strip-like flat outer body (3a, 3'a) and longitudinal portions (3b, 3'b) which are bent longitudinally from the borders of the elongated strip-like flat outer body (3a, 3'a). A bristle roller according to Claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal bent portions (3b, 3'b) are bent throughout about 180° from the outer body (3a, 3'a). A bristle roller according to Claim 1, characterized in that said longitudinal bent portions (3b, 3'b) are bent inwardly and/or outwardly. A bristle roller according to Claim 1, characterized in that said strips are provided with burrs of plastic materials or copolymers, extending along a longitudinal direction coinciding with the longitudinal extension of the bristles.

Inventors: FAVAGROSSA EDOARDO, FAVAGROSSA, EDOARDO
Applicants: FAVAGROSSA EDOARDO SRL, FAVAGROSSA EDOARDO S.R.L.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: B60S3
IPC codes: A46B3, B60S3, A46D1, A46B15, A46B13, A46B7